Everything about the UAE, in one place.
Seven emirates, one free guide. Facts, places, every number you might need, plain-language guides, and free tools built for the UAE's own rules. Independent and non-profit.
Not one of them alike
From the capital's oil wealth to the quiet lagoons of Umm Al Quwain, each emirate has its own ruler, character and rules. Start with the one you live in, or the one you are curious about.
01أبوظبيAbu Dhabi
The Capital Emirate
67,340 km²≈ 3.8 million
02دبيDubai
The City of the Future
4,114 km²≈ 3.9 million
03الشارقةSharjah
The Cultural Capital
2,590 km²≈ 1.9 million
04عجمانAjman
The Compact Coastal Gem
259 km²≈ 550,000
05أم القيوينUmm Al Quwain
The Quiet Lagoon Emirate
777 km²≈ 90,000
06رأس الخيمةRas Al Khaimah
The Adventure Emirate
1,684 km²≈ 400,000
07الفجيرةFujairah
The East-Coast Escape
1,165 km²≈ 290,000Compare side by side
Area, population, rulers, coastlines and the day each joined the union.
Open the chartAnswers in seconds, not forms
Calculators and checkers built on the UAE's own rules: labour law, tax, Central Bank limits, utility tariffs, visa fines. Free with a Daleel Pass.
End of Service Gratuity Calculator
Work out your UAE end-of-service benefit under the 2022 labour law.
01 · Work & salary PassMortgage Calculator
Monthly payments, the Central Bank loan-to-value rules and the full cost of buying.
02 · Money & tax PassCost of Living Planner
Build a monthly budget for Dubai, Abu Dhabi or the northern emirates.
03 · Living costs PassElectricity & Water Bill Estimator
Estimate a DEWA-style bill from your kWh and water use, with slab tariffs and the housing fee.
04 · Living costs PassOverstay Fine Calculator
How much you owe for overstaying a visit or residence visa, and the grace period rules.
05 · Visas & residency PassGolden Visa Eligibility Checker
Answer a few questions to see which 10-year Golden Visa route could fit you.
06 · Visas & residencyOpenPrayer Times
Today's five prayer times for any emirate, computed for your location.
07 · Dates & timeOpenPublic Holiday & Long Weekend Planner
Every UAE public holiday for the year, the long weekends and a calendar you can download.
08 · Dates & time
One pass, every tool
Email and mobile number once, every calculator open for a year, plus one short UAE newsletter a month. Free, non-profit, no spam.
Every number that matters
Emergency services, ministries, authorities, hospitals, schools, universities, embassies, airports, utilities and free zones, with the one line that tells you what each is for.
How the UAE works
Long-form, evergreen guides written in plain language and kept current: visas, labour law, renting, healthcare, schools, driving, money, business and culture.
Banking, Money and Tax in the UAE
How banking, credit, remittances and taxes work in the UAE, from opening an account to VAT, corporate tax, savings and investing.
Money & tax02Culture, Etiquette and Laws in the UAE
A respectful, practical guide to Islam in daily life, dress, greetings, public behaviour laws, Ramadan, national traditions and workplace manners in the UAE.
Culture & etiquette03Driving and Getting Around the UAE
How to get a licence, buy or lease a car, pay tolls and parking, avoid fines, and use the Metro, buses, taxis and rail across the UAE.
Travel & transport04Moving to the UAE: The Complete Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for relocating to the UAE, from the documents you need before you fly to the first 90 days of settling in.
Living in the UAE05Setting Up a Business in the UAE
A practical guide to choosing between mainland, free zone and offshore, getting a licence, visas, a bank account and tax registrations in the UAE.
Business setup06UAE Visas and Residency Explained
A clear map of every main UAE visa type, from visit and transit visas to employment, family, Golden, Green, retirement, remote work and student residency.
Visas & residencyFresh, useful reading
Practical articles on living, working, visas, money and travel across the emirates, written for people who actually live here.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Where Should You Live?
An honest comparison of Abu Dhabi and Dubai for residents: cost, pace, housing, schools, healthcare, commute, culture and tenancy rules.
UAE Corporate Tax for Small Businesses: 2026 Guide
Dubai Metro Guide: Lines, Zones, Fares and Nol Cards
Ramadan in the UAE: A Guide for Residents and Visitors
Free, independent, non-profit
Daleel means guide in Arabic. This one is built and kept by people who live in the UAE, for everyone who lives here, is moving here or is just visiting.
We take no advertising, sell nothing and charge nothing. The free Daleel Pass exists for one reason: so we can send one short, useful UAE newsletter a month and keep the tools free for everyone.
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Who we are, how we source figures and how to help.
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ContactQuestions people ask
Short answers to the questions newcomers and visitors ask most often.
Is the UAE safe for tourists and residents?
Yes, the UAE consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, with very low crime rates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai regularly top global safety-city indices. Normal precautions apply as anywhere.
What is the legal drinking age and can tourists buy alcohol?
The legal drinking age is 21. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, tourists can buy from licensed shops with a passport; residents in some emirates need a licence. Sharjah is a dry emirate, no alcohol is sold there. Public drunkenness and drink-driving (zero tolerance) are serious offences.
Do women need to cover their hair or wear an abaya?
No. There is no legal requirement for non-Muslim women to wear an abaya or headscarf (except when entering mosques, where modest dress and a head covering are required, often provided at the entrance). Modest dress is expected in malls, souks and government buildings; beachwear is fine at beaches and pools.
What is the weekend in the UAE?
Saturday and Sunday, with a half-day on Friday for the public sector (Friday prayers). Many private companies also run a half-day Friday. Government offices are generally open Monday-Thursday full days and Friday mornings.
Can unmarried couples live together or share a hotel room?
Yes. Cohabitation of unmarried couples was decriminalised in the 2020 legal reforms, and hotels routinely host unmarried couples, including tourists.
What should I avoid doing in public?
Avoid public displays of affection beyond hand-holding, swearing or rude gestures (including online), photographing people without consent (especially women and families), photographing government/military sites, and any form of drink-driving. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during fasting hours.
How do I get a SIM card as a tourist?
Tourist SIMs from etisalat by e& and du are available at all airports (a free starter SIM is often given at DXB). You need your passport. Tourist packages run from a few days to a month with data and local minutes.
What happens if I overstay my visa?
Overstay fines are charged per day (AED 50/day is standard, plus exit fees) and must be settled before departure via ICP or GDRFA. There is no automatic grace period on most visit visas, extend or exit before expiry.
Is there income tax in the UAE?
There is no personal income tax on salaries. Businesses pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000, and 5% VAT applies to most goods and services.
How does healthcare work for expats?
Health insurance is mandatory: employers must insure employees in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (and increasingly elsewhere). Public hospitals treat emergencies for everyone; insured residents use their network hospitals and clinics. Citizens receive free/subsidised care.